U.S. Nationals: Kasia Wasick and Gretchen Walsh Set For Duel in 50 Freestyle
The last night of the United States National Championships will see a handful of athletes pursuing additional titles, including Gretchen Walsh and Shaine Casas. Walsh, who earlier won the 100 butterfly, enters the session as the second seed in the 50-meter freestyle, just behind Poland’s Kasia Wasick. In the morning, Wasick went 24.56 and Walsh was timed in 24.65 as the women were well ahead of the rest of the competition. Abbey Weitzeil also dipped under 25 seconds.
Already the champion in the 100 butterfly, Casas is the heavy favorite for victory in the 200 individual medley, following his 1:57.50 preliminary effort. Grant House was 1:59-low during prelims and Kevin Vargas, the champ earlier in the meet in the 400 individual medley, will be looking to push Casas throughout the four-lap event.
Olympic and world champion Bobby Finke is on the heat sheets for the 800 freestyle. The American-record holder went 7:39.36 at the World Champs in Budapest and has a 14-second cushion on Will Gallant, the second seed and winner of the 1500 freestyle. On the women’s side, Erica Sullivan is seeded first in the 1500 freestyle, an event in which she is the reigning Olympic silver medalist.
Finals at the William Woollett Aquatic Center will also be held in the men’s 50 freestyle and women’s 200 individual medley. Matt King is the top seed in the sprint after going 21.95 in the morning. In the 200 IM, Zoie Hartman leads a packed field.
Here is the heat sheet for Saturday’s finals.
